The Wrong Target Part 4

By Margie






Simon did not relax until he stood beside his son's bedside, watching the boy as he slept peacefully, undisturbed by the events going on around him, He reached out to caress his son's cheek, sending a silent prayer of thanks that his boy was alive.

Windows covered three walls of his son's room. There was no way anyone could enter the room without the nurses and doctors seeing them. Two guard stood outside the door. His son was as protected as he could be. The doctors had even agreed that Joan could stay in the room.

Simon reached over to place a gentle kiss on Daryl's forehead. "I love you, son."

Jim was talking with Detectives Brown and Rafe when Simon came out of intensive care.

"What's going on, Jim?" he asked, giving Brown and Rafe a brief wave as they moved away.

"Sir," Jim greeted. "Rafe and Brown have handed out sketches of Carthridge to all the floors, especially third floor and ICU. If he's still here, we'll get him."

"I guess that's all we can do for now, then," Simon reached up to massage knotted shoulders. "I want this guy, Jim."

"So do I, sir."

"Can you use your senses on this one, Jim? I mean, can't you locate him if he's still here?" Simon was suddenly desperate to end this tragedy.

"I would Simon. I know what he looks like and if I see him, I'll certainly take him down. But as far as my other senses, I'm afraid if I try, I'll zone. I need Sandburg if I am going to try anything else."

"And he's out of commission. Jim..." Simon's voice broke, causing Jim to reach out to him in silent support.

"Simon, I'm going up to check on Sandburg for a minute and then I'm going to have a look around. Let me know if anything happens, okay?"

"Sure," Simon returned. "And Jim, tell the kid I said thanks." He added as Jim turned to walk away.

"I will, Sir." Came the soft reply.

#############################################################

Blair opened his eyes, automatically searching the room for his Sentinel. A smile came to his lips when he saw the older man sitting in the chair beside his bed. Jim's eyes were shut and soft snores issued from his opened mouth. Love for this man filled Blair's soul and he reached out to touch the arm that rested on the bed beside him.

"Jim?" he whispered.

Jim's eyes flew open; his sharp gaze flew around the room before it landed on the young man. The steeled features softened when he saw Blair was awake.

"Well, hey," he said as he pulled the chair closer and rested his arms on the bed.

"About time you woke up."

"How long?"

"Almost five hours now. I was beginning to think you'd sleep all night."

"Did?" Blair reached out to grab Jim's arm, using the older man as a brace as he turned on his side.

Jim placed a supporting hand to Blair's back, helping him to get in a comfortable position. "Not yet, Chief." He said, knowing what Blair wanted to know.

"Jim," Blair's voice was whisper soft.

"Hmm?" Jim placed his right hand on the top of his Guide's head, his thumb rubbing soothing circles along his forehead.

"Did you try..." Blair closed his eyes, leaning into the soothing massage.

"Chief..." Jim paused, not quite sure what to tell Blair about the situation. He didn't want to tell him abut Daryl and he didn't want to frighten the younger man by telling him that Carthridge had been in the hospital.

"Blair opened his eyes to see Jim's look of concern. "What's going on, Jim?"

"Don't start talking too much," Jim warned him. "You don't want a repeat of earlier, do you?"

Blair shook his head, but was determined to find out what Jim was keeping from him. Blair brought his right hand up and made writing motions.

Jim grinned at his determination and stood up to retrieve the slate. Returning to the bed, he helped Blair get into a sitting position and then handed him the board.

"Determined little cuss, aren't you?" He said, smiling again at the irritated look his partner sent his way.

YOU ARE SO NOT FUNNY.

Jim just smiled and returned to his chair.

TELL ME!

Jim sighed and leaned back in his chair. "When you pointed to the picture, I knew."

HOW?

"Because I've seen Andrew Carthridge before."

WHERE?

"Right here in this hospital," Jim leaned forward and touched his partner's arm when he saw the look of fear that crossed the younger man's face. "You don't need to worry. You're well guarded."

MY OWN PERSONNEL BODY GUARD, HUH?

"You know it, kid," Jim returned the smile.

DO YOU THINK HE IS STILL HERE?

"Blair..."

"Do you?" determination was in Blair's face as he looked at Jim.

Jim looked at his friend for a long moment. "Yeah, Chief. I do." he finally admitted.

"Then find him," Was the simple reply.

"Chief, I don't know if I can," Jim said.

Blair dropped the board and reached for his Sentinel's hand. "Yes, you can." He said with firm conviction.

"Chief..."

"Where did you see him?"

"In the surgical waiting room."

"Close your eyes," the soft voice instructed.

Jim was so geared to his Guide's voice, he obeyed without hesitation.

"Picture him in your mind."

"Got him," Jim said as he remembered the man that he had seen outside the waiting room that morning.

"Open your senses," Blair winced at the continued strain on his voice, but was determined to help his friend. "Smell."

"Got it."

"Heartbeat."

"Got it."

"Then let's go find the bastard," Simon's voice cause both men to jump.

"Simon. I didn't hear you," Jim said as he laid a claming hand on Blair's arm.

"Sorry," Simon apologized as he walked over to the bed. "I didn't mean to scare you, Sandburg."

"It's okay," Blair glanced briefly at Simon before turning his attention back to Jim. "Try to find him, Jim."

Jim stood up and leaned over his Guide. Laying his head next to the younger man's, he opened his senses all the way, letting his Guide's essence fill him. "Chief."

Blair brought one hand up and laid it against Jim's head. "Find him, Jim."

Jim straightened and moved toward the door. "I'll be back." He looked back at Blair.

"I know," came the gentle response.

################################################################

"Jim?" Simon stopped Jim outside the door.

Glancing over at the guard, Jim placed his hand on Simon's shoulder and guided him down the hall.

"Simon?"

"What was all that about?"

"Simon. Blair grounds me somehow. It's a Sentinel/Guide thing, I think. His touch, his smell, his voice, even his heartbeat can keep me from zoning or bring me out of one."

Simon held up one hand. "Say no more."

Jim grinned at the pained look that crossed his captain's face. "What do you say we go find the bastard that dared mess with our families?"

"Lead on, Detective," Simon said with a smile.

##############################################################

"How are you going to find him?" Simon asked as they stood outside the hospital entrance.

"We're going to take it floor by floor," Jim responded.

"What if he isn't here?"

"I just have a feeling that he is, Simon. I can't explain it."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Just back me up, sir," Jim smiled at his captain.

"I can do that," Simon returned the smile.

Simon watched as his best detective walked into the hospital. The Sentinel stopped briefly; he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Opening his eyes again, he shook his head and started forward, Simon following close behind him.

Amazement and a slight touch of fear filled Simon as he watched the other man search floor after floor. Though he appreciated the results of Jim's Sentinel abilities, he could not help but think of it as something from the science fiction realm. He sighed as he followed Jim off the elevator, pausing when the other man came to an abrupt halt.

"Jim?"

Jim stood in total stillness, his nostrils flaring, his head cocked to the side in a familiar gesture.

"JIM!" Simon reached out to shake the detective.

Jim turned cold, determined eyes towards his captain. "Simon! He's here!"

"Where?" Simon asked as he drew his gun.

Jim moved forward at a fast trot, leaving Simon to follow. Turning a corner, Jim stopped. Simon moved up beside him, They both observed the janitor that moved slowly down the hall.

Simon knew that Andrew Carthridge was in his late forties, but the man before him looked much older. In fact, he did not look like Carthridge at all. He walked with a shuffling step, his shoulders were stooped and light gray hair fell to his shoulders in greasy clumps.

"There he is," Jim reached back to grab his gun from the holster.

"Are you sure, Jim?"

"I'm sure, Simon."

"Jim..." Simon started to question him again, but stopped as Jim slashed his hand through the air.

"Simon. Look where he is headed."

Simon looked around, becoming aware for the first time just what floor they were on. If they turned a corner they would be at Sandburg's room.

"He's after Sandburg," Simon concluded, moving forward with purpose.

"Over my dead body," came the deadly reply.

###############################################################

Andrew Carthridge slowly pushed the cart forward. He knew he would have to kill the cop that was guarding the kid. It couldn't be helped. He had to tie up loose ends before he left Cascade. The kid was the only one who knew what he looked like, so he had to die.

He had messed up again when he had gunned down you Mr. Banks. He had pulled up to the bus stop and just opened fire at the group of kids that were standing around. He just knew that one of the bullets would find its target. How was he supposed to know that the Banks kid would survive?

Carthridge moved up beside the uniformed guard.

"Evening," he said, nodding at the man.

"Good evening, working late," the guard returned the greeting.

"Just about finished," Carthridge said, reaching into the bag that hung on the side of his cart.

"Sir?" the guard's voice reached Carthridge's ear just before he felt the cold metal touch the back of his neck.

"Going somewhere, Carthridge?" the soft voice whispered in his ear.

Straightening, Carthridge gazed into cold, deadly blue eyes and shivered as fear twisted in his chest.

"Captain?" the guard turned confused eyes to the tall black man.

"I want you to arrest this man, Wilson," Simon's smile was cold as he gazed at the man who had shot his observer and quite possibly his son.

"What for sir?" Wilson glanced over at Carthridge before returning his gaze to the captain.

"For the attempted murder of Blair Sandburg," Simon said.

"But..." Wilson's confusion grew. "I thought Andrew Carthridge..."

Jim reached out and jerked the gray wig from Carthridge's head, then savagely pulled the glued on beard and mustache that covered his face.

"Wilson, meet Andrew Carthridge," Jim said as he turned the man to face Wilson.

"Oh my God!" Wilson turned pale as he realized what had nearly happened. "You bastard." He grabbed the other man and pushed him face first into the wall. Grabbing the handcuffs from his belt he quickly bound the man's hands behind his back.

"Be sure to read him his rights, Wilson," Simon instructed.

"Yes Sir!" Wilson said, grabbing Carthridge by the collar, he started walking him down the hall. "You have the right to remain..."

The voice faded as the two moved away. Simon turned to see Jim looking in the bag that was tied to the cleaning cart. "What you got, Jim?"

Reaching into his pocket, Jim pulled out a pen and reached into the bag.

"I'll bet that the bullets that they got out of Sandburg and Daryl will match this gun perfectly," Jim held up the gun.

Simon pulled out an evidence bag and held it out while Jim dropped the gun in.

"I'll take it to forensics myself," Simon said, pausing when Jim cocked his head to the side. "Jim, what is it?"

Jim moved toward the door to his partner's room. Pushing it open, he observed his partner sitting on the side of the bed, pulling his IV from his arm.

"What do you think you're doing?" Jim's voice cracked across the room, causing his friend to jerk in surprise.

"Jim!" Blair stood on shaky legs and reached for the older man.

Jim was across the room in a flash, wrapping his arms around the smaller man, holding him close for a second before lifting back onto the bed. "Sandburg..."

"I was getting worried," Blair tried to explain.

Cupping Blair's face with both of his hands, Jim leaned over to glare at the young man. "Sandburg. I swear..."

"Jim, did you find him?" Trusting blue eyes gazed up at him.

Growling, Jim sat beside his friend, pulling him into a full embrace. "Yeah, Chief. We got him."

Simon stood for a moment, watching his best team reconnect and then he closed the door. Leaning against the wall, he closed his eyes and gave a deep sigh. God. It's finally over, he thought to himself.

He straightened suddenly, feeling a desperate need to touch his son, he quickly move down the hall.

#############################################################

Jim walked into the hospital room to find his partner already dressed and sitting on the side of the bed.

"Chief," he greeted.

"Jim!" Blair's face lit up when he saw his friend. "I am like so ready to get out of here."

"I know, buddy. Doctor's finishing up the paperwork now," Jim walked over and sat down beside the younger man. "How are you doing?"

"Good," Blair assured Jim. "Hey, have you heard anything about Daryl?"

"Yeah, he is doing good. He's having a hard time dealing with the death of his friend, but he's go lots of support. Simon said that the hospital psychologist was talking with him."

"It never should have happened, Jim," the sorrow in the quiet voice touched Jim's heart and he carefully folded his arms around his Guide.

"No Blair, it shouldn't have. Violence is never the answer, especially when kids are involved."

"But what Carthridge did...I mean, Greg was his son," Blair looked up at Jim.

"No, Chief. If Carthridge had really cared for his son, he would have stepped forward when the boy's parents died. The courts notified him of his ex-wife's death. He just didn't want to be bothered."

"But why target Simon?"

"I don't know, Blair. Maybe he couldn't handle his own guilt and took it out on Simon."

"What will happen to him?"

"The DA is going for murder one and four counts of attempted murder. He should be going away for a long time."

"Man..." Blair shook his head.

"Hey, what do you say we go track the good doctor down and steal your walking papers?" Jim said as he stood and pulled his friend to his feet.

"I'm down with that. Do you know where he is?"

"I can find him. I'm a Sentinel, you know."

A warm smile lit the younger man's face, causing bright blue eyes to shine. "Yeah. I know."

THE END